Mostly coffee rants – Somewhere between passion & narcissism

The thrill of competition & fun of a smackdown.

It was thrilling competing in the Victorian Barista Championships (held on Nov 8 & 9). For pictorial action, you can check out Syd Low’s excellent photos of the Barista Championship and Latte Art Championship. Jesse Hyde won the Barista Championship with a calm, consistent performance, and the standard of competition was excellent. Erin Sampson won the Latte Art Championship with her excellent performance topped with a rosetta back to back with a tulip.

I’m now preparing for the Repechage at the Australian Barista Championships on the Gold Coast, Jan 30, 31 and Feb 1 2009. I’ll be posting a more detailed story on my preparation for comp after the Nationals, outlining the fun, challenges and thrills of preparing and competing. In the meantime, I have to run the Victorian leg of the Michel’s Barista competition this week, and a trip to Perth sometime in the next few weeks. In Perth, I’m looking forward to finally checking out Epic, Velvet etc.

This weekend I was invited to Cafenatics at QV for a Latte Art Smackdown to help open Joe’s latest store. Coffee sales were donated to Second Bite. Joe has moved the Mistral from his Church Lane store to the new QV store, and he also has a cart with a 3 group FB80 out the front – serious firepower! I was most amused by the vase on the table inside – the last purpose I would consider for a Robur Electronic!

Anyway, we eventually got around to a Latte Art Smackdown of sorts. We were a bit light on for talent though – 2008 World Latte Art Champion, Con Haralambopoulos; 2008 Australian Barista Champion (and 2nd at the 2008 WBC) David Makin; and 2nd Place, 2009 Victorian Latte Art Championship, David Seng. Anyhow, here are some photos of the action (there are more at my flickr.)